Product Design and Development - Editorials

Notes From The Real World

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:38:25 GMT

To offer an alternative to my usual rant, this month I thought I'd share some hard-earned insights with those of you who have an insane itch to develop, manufacture, and sell your own products. Until now, I have been shielded from the vagaries of actually manufacturing something in the real world. Recent events, however, have put me on the front line of this endeavor, and I hope my experiences will prove valuable to any who dream of traveling this path.

Quality Assurance For Wind Turbine Parts

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:34:56 GMT

In the fast growing market for wind power systems, quality assurance according to international industrial standards has become an important issue. Wind power plants are no longer a niche playground for environmental proponents, but a serious business where cost efficiency, life cycle costs, reliability and availability of the components must be considered.

New 'finFET' Promising For Smaller Transistors, More Powerful Chips

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:03:40 GMT

Purdue University researchers are making progress in developing a new type of transistor that uses a finlike structure instead of the conventional flat design, possibly enabling engineers to create faster and more compact circuits and computer chips.

PLM Alone Is Insufficient For Product Development

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:45:02 GMT

There are a number of tools available to optimize product development. There are authoring tools, such as CAD/CAM/CAE (CAx), which are focused on making the individual engineer or designer more productive. CAx equips the engineer to create a realistic 3D representation of a product, define the tool paths necessary to manufacture the product, and predict the product’s performance through analysis on the model, avoiding the need for physical prototypes.

Choosing The Right Feedback Option

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:23:11 GMT

When it comes to resolvers, you need to know size, speed(s), and electrical interface.With encoders, you need to know resolution, mounting, output, and connection.

Tougher Touch Technology For e-Gaming & Entertainment Generation

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:44:04 GMT

New generations of electronic gaming equipment can increase profitability for operators and deliver better experiences for gamers. The touch-sensitive user interface is an important enabler for these emerging classes of machines, but owners and game players expect the highest standards of performance, reliability and dependability.

On Reqs And Specs: The Roles And Behaviors For Effective Product Definition

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:42:13 GMT

Can you believe the angst between product managers and developers? Many product managers think their developers are incompetent. The feeling is mutual: developers don't think product managers bring any value to the process. Yet we all want to get products to market but our understanding of roles keeps getting in the way. Who writes requirements? Who writes specifications? And what's the difference between a req and a spec? The requirement is the problem.

It’s Simple: Use DFMA To Quote, Analyze, Implement & Communicate (Part 2)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:30:18 GMT

Recently, Aztalan prepared a quote for a carpenter’s level (see Figure 1). This particular part was to be produced at a very large volume—hundreds of thousands—so costing it accurately was imperative.

It’s Simple: Use DFMA To Quote, Analyze, Implement & Communicate

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:12:23 GMT

Aztalan Engineering uses DFMA to quote costs, analyze designs, implement process controls and communicate with customers and the supply chain.

Cutting-Edge Of Virtual Design

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:04:50 GMT

Arburg is a leading manufacturer of injection molding machines located in Lossburg, in the Black Forest region. Arburg’s product portfolio includes Allrounder injection molding machines with clamping force from 125 to 5,000 kN, Multilift robotic systems, complex automation solutions and a range of peripherals. Arburg has been incorporating Dassault Systèmes’ solutions for 15 years, and currently relies on CATIA, ENOVIA and 3DVIA Composer for its product development needs.

Manufacturing Engineers Are Regaining Efficiency with HPC Clusters

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:38:45 GMT

HPC clusters used to require specialized expertise to design, build and manage. Having benefited from years of development in both hardware and system-management software, most of these HPC clusters now serve as department-level resources.

Making Your Band: Printing 3D Rock Band Figurines

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:16:27 GMT

The consumer industry isn’t quite there yet, but the latest partnership between Harmonix, the videogame development company that has turned the world into arm-chair rock stars with the Rock Band franchise, and Z Corporation (Z Corp), the Burlington, MA-based developer and manufacturer of 3D printers, has come one step closer to fully customized 3D-printed figurines.

Acting Screwy

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:52:20 GMT

Not so fast linear motors. You won’t be replacing ball screws anytime soon. Screws create motion differently than linear motors. Linear motors are magnetically direct acting devices, while a power transmission screw offers a mechanical advantage.

Unlock The Free Market System

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:46:13 GMT

First, I want to thank the many of you who wrote in to comment, pro or con, on last month’s column. If only we could keep the national discourse as polite and constructive — and free of tea parties. This month I have been thinking about the role of innovation and NPD in healthcare, and its place in this national debate. I am thinking about the many sides of the issue, because it has implications far beyond lobbyists. It will shape the fundamentals of how new products, and the folks who create them, fit into the healthcare equation. It may enable, or it may kill, the development of the drugs and tools that could save our lives.

Case Study: MECANO ID, 3D Communication

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:52:45 GMT

MECANO ID was looking for a tool that could help them both streamline their development processes—and communicate more effectively with customers like France’s CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales). With these types of customers that require information across many departments and disciplines, there are many complex ideas, designs and product layouts that need to be quickly communicated with crystal clear explanations.

Sharp Edge Orifices

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:19:07 GMT

To produce accurate, repeatable orifices, all the variables that might influence the Cd Value (Coefficient of Discharge) must be controlled during production. This includes the orifice hole length, edges, surface finishes, roundness and the elimination of all tool marks, burrs, ragged edges and irregularities.

Fueling Red Bull’s Formula 1 Team

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:20:49 GMT

Scuderia Toro Rosso, owned by the Red Bull Company, is among the Formula 1 teams looking for new and better ways to compress development and production times, while increasing the reliability of its racing cars.

One Law For LEDs

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:10:36 GMT

Yole Développement releases its new markets & technological study dedicated to HB LED & LED packaging industry: HB LED & LED Packaging 2009. Yole’s report highlights the main technical challenges, current solutions and future trends dedicated to the LED devices. The analysis includes different packaging aspects: equipment, materials and services. In this report, Yole identified HB LED & LED packaging companies, collected their expertise and analyzed it.

Revolutionary IV Design

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:19:20 GMT

At Fluidnet, we’re revolutionizing the IV therapy market with a fully featured infusion pump that weighs less than two pounds and fits in the palm of a hand. It is ultra-quiet and so efficient that it can operate on battery power for days.But, the most revolutionary aspect is what goes on inside, and to develop that, you need technologies such as upfront CFD.Fluidnet used CFdesign upfront CFD software to design a new generation of flow sensor and flow resistor for the administration set used with our IV pump.

Challenges To Measuring Microparts

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:28:17 GMT

There are several challenges that can arise when you start the process of measuring micro and meso scale parts. Some important factors to consider before you begin the actual part measuring are: part handling, cleaning and fixturing.

Selective Soldering Solves EMS Medical Electronic Assembly Challenges

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:11:30 GMT

Modern medical monitoring devices require extremely complex internal electronic assemblies. The availability of highly miniaturized, low-power RF devices and specialized communication protocols open new paths to how physicians are monitoring and managing chronic conditions--and even delivering medication doses.

Myths On Teflon Hose

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:12:52 GMT

Hoses made with a core of Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have a richly deserved reputation for outstanding performance under severe application conditions. That’s why they are found in places like the space shuttle, aircraft landing gear and braking systems, and the self-contained breathing apparatus firefighters depend on to keep them safe. But along with that reputation comes a pervasive belief that hoses made with Teflon carry a higher acquisition cost necessary only when no other material can meet the requirements. This brings us to the first of three myths about hoses made of Teflon.

Fuel Cell, Battery Combo

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:52:02 GMT

Virtually every business today is concerned—if not obsessed with—its carbon footprint. Many companies have already come to the conclusion that going “green” is not only good for the environment; it’s good for business as well.

Breeding Nerd Girls

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:45:24 GMT

Women have struggled through traditional stereotypes and stigmas to gain recognition and respect in their fields of interest. The stereotypes and stigmas that exist within the engineering industry have intimidated certain women, reducing their confidence and hindering them from pursuing careers in such disciplines.

The Promise Of Organic Electronics

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:46:57 GMT

From “electronic newspapers and magazines” to smart windows, flexible film solar cell sheets to luminescent wallpaper, organic electronics has the potential to change the way we use computers and other electronic devices. Organic electronics may be printed on a flexible substrate at room temperature, rather than diffused into a pure silicon die at around 1000º C which is typical of most of today’s semiconductors.

10 Things Good To Know About Custom Gearmotors

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:17:38 GMT

A custom gearmotor is one that meets your particular application specifications. It has the correct mechanical and electrical interfaces, fits within the envelope available, meets your performance, maintenance, lifetime and aftermarket criteria while it also fits within your budget. There are many questions and considerations involved in specifying the correct gearmotor for your application.

Self-Powered Skis & Tennis Rackets

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:16:00 GMT

Vibration energy harvesting (VEH) is a leading energy harvesting technique used to power micro-circuits. Unique VEH applications are playing a growing role in consumer markets, such as sporting goods, where self-powered systems are being incorporated to increase structural stability, control and performance of certain equipment.

Benefits Of Busbar Power

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:19:15 GMT

Busbar power distribution systems are common throughout the world and are rapidly gaining broader acceptance in the U.S. due to their flexibility, safety and ability to reduce overall design and integration costs. In addition to these factors, increasing globalization has led many designers of industrial control systems to move toward design techniques, electrical components and integration methods that are readily accepted worldwide—making busbar systems more attractive than ever before.

A Bright Spot In A Dark Economy

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:33:26 GMT

Humanity must develop efficient, cost effective solar power generating systems on a massive scale. There doesn’t seem to be any alternative, considering the world’s limited oil reserves and the apparently adverse effect that conventional energy generation is having on the earth’s atmosphere.

Silver Nanoparticles Give Polymer Solar Cells A Boost

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:01:11 GMT

Researchers at Ohio State University are experimenting with polymer semiconductors that absorb the sun’s energy and generate electricity. The goal: lighter, cheaper, and more-flexible solar cells.